Sleeper Watch

Marlins left fielder/third baseman Miguel Cabrera may have struggled briefly after being called up from AA Carolina, but his adjustment to the big leagues didn’t take long. Since the end of June, Cabrera has raised his average from .158 to .270 and knocked in nearly a run per game. As polished as the right-handed slugger has looked this July, it’s hard to believe he only turned twenty in April.

Cabrera’s AA numbers (.365 average, .605 slugging, 10 hr, 59 rbi) were certainly solid, but many felt he needed to spend time at the AAA level before joining the big show. Almost nobody expected him to make such a large impact so soon.

Interestingly, much of Cabrera’s success has come at Florida’s Pro Player Stadium, a difficult park for hitters. In fifteen home games, he’s hitting .333 (with a phenomenal 1.083 ops), compared with just .213 on the road.

Dontrelle Willis has stolen much of the spotlight in Florida, but don’t forget Cabrera. The young slugger could be a valuable addition for the stretch run this year; above all, he makes a fantastic keeper for 2004.